Question

Given the unbalanced combustion reaction below, what is being reduced?C_2H_2(g)+O_2(g)→CO(g)+H_2O(g)

a) Carbon (C)
b) Hydrogen (H)
c) Oxygen (O)
d) Nothing is being reduced

Answer 1

In the reaction C2H2(g) + O2(g) → CO(g) + H2O(g), oxygen (O) is being reduced as its oxidation number decreases from 0 to -2 when going from O2 to H2O.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the provided unbalanced combustion reaction C2H2(g) + O2(g) → CO(g) + H2O(g), we are examining a redox process. To determine what is being reduced, we need to look at the changes in oxidation state for the elements involved. In the combustion of hydrocarbons such as C2H2, oxygen is typically reduced. The oxygen in O2 starts with an oxidation number of 0 and in water, H2O, the oxygen has an oxidation number of -2. This decrease in oxidation number signifies that oxygen is being reduced in this reaction.